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【英文外刊精读】奥运知识知多少🏇🏋️‍♀️🚴🤺

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and its recent history

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The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics was a complete disaster - Bondiewithlove

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are unfolding against the backdrop of growing instability around the globe, as Russia pushes on with its yearslong invasion of Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas rages on in Gaza.

Summer Olympics 夏季奥运会：国际体育盛事，每四年举办一次，包括各种夏季项目的竞赛，参与国家和地区的运动员在奥运会上争夺金牌和荣誉。

unfold /ʌnˈfoʊld/ to be gradually made known; to gradually make sth known to other people（使）逐渐展现

backdrop /ˈbækdrɑːp/ the general conditions in which an event takes place, which sometimes help to explain that event（事态或活动的）背景

It was against this backdrop of racial tension that the civil war began. 这场内战肇端于种族之间的紧张状态。

against the (current) backdrop 在(目前)情况下，在(目前)背景下

growing /ˈɡroʊɪŋ/ increasing in size, amount or degree 增加的；增长的；增强的

There is growing concern over the safety of the missing teenager. 人们对这个失踪少年的安全越来越担心。

instability /ˌɪnstəˈbɪləti/ a mental condition in which sb's behaviour is likely to change suddenly（精神的）不稳定状态，变化无常

around the globe 全球

push on When you push on, you continue with a trip or task. 继续前进; 继续进行

Although the journey was a long and lonely one, Tumalo pushed on. 尽管路途漫长而孤单，图马洛仍继续行进。

yearslong years +‎ -long 长年的，持续多年的

invasion /ɪnˈveɪʒ(ə)n/ If there is an invasion of a country, a foreign army enters it by force. 入侵

rage on 白热化，激烈进行

man in green and brown camouflage uniform carrying black backpack

While the international community has been rocked by these conflicts and others, the Olympics are supposed to be a symbol of peace and goodwill between nations.

While during the time that sth is happening 在…期间；当…的时候

We must have been burgled while we were asleep. 我们睡着时一定让贼入室偷了。

international community 国际社会

rock /rɑːk/ cause great shock or distress to (someone or something), especially so as to weaken or destabilize （尤指为削弱某人或某物的力量或破坏其稳定）使震惊，使苦恼，使不安

Diplomatic upheavals that rocked the British Empire. 扰得大英帝国惊魂不定的外交大动荡。

has been rocked by these conflicts 受到这些冲突的冲击

and others 等等，及其他：用于列举一系列事物，表示还有其他类似的事物。

be supposed to be 应该是

a symbol of peace 和平的象征

goodwill /ˌɡʊdˈwɪl/ friendly or helpful feelings towards other people or countries 友善；友好；善意；亲善

Here’s a look at other times in modern Summer Olympics history where war and political unrest played out as the world’s greatest athletes took center stage, and how it impacted the Games:

unrest /ʌnˈrest/ a political situation in which people are angry and likely to protest or fight 动荡；动乱；骚动

political unrest 政治动乱

play out to finish 完成

as while sth else is happening 当…时；随着

athlete /ˈæθliːt/ a person who competes in sports 运动员

Olympic athletes 奥运会运动员

center stage 中心舞台

The 2016 Rio Olympics witnessed the first appearance of the Refugee Olympic Team, providing a way for athletes, including those from war-torn countries, to compete at the Olympics.

witness /ˈwɪtnəs/ to be the place, period, organization, etc. in which particular events take place 是发生…的地点（或时间、组织等）；见证

Recent years have witnessed a growing social mobility. 近年来人们的社会流动性越来越大。

the Refugee Olympic Team 难民奥运会团体

war-torn /ˈwɔːr tɔːrn/ a war-torn country or area is severely affected by the fighting that is taking place there 受战争严重破坏的；饱受战争蹂躏

Ten athletes from Ethiopia, South Sudan, Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo competed under the Olympic flag in athletics, judo and swimming.

Ethiopia /ˌiːθiˈoʊpiə/ 埃塞俄比亚

South Sudan /saʊθ suˈdæn/ 南苏丹

Syria /'sirɪr/ n. 叙利亚共和国

The Democratic Republic of the Congo 刚果民主共和国

athletics /æθˈletɪks/ 田径运动

judo /ˈdʒuːdoʊ/ 柔道

The 2004 Athens Olympics were the first Games to take place after the US-led invasion of Iraq and saw Greek police using tear gas to disperse protesters who criticized then US President George W Bush.

The 2004 Athens Olympics 2004年雅典奥运会

take place 发生、举行：指某件事情发生或某个活动举行。

US-led 美国领导的：由美国主导或引领的，通常指政治、军事或经济方面的事务。

US-led invasion 美国领导的入侵

tear gas 催泪瓦斯：一种固体、液体或气体物质，当其在大气中扩散时，刺激黏膜，尤其是导致眼睛流泪，常被警察和军队等机构用于驱散人群。

disperse / dɪˈspɜːrs / [V-T/V-I] When a group of people disperses or when someone disperses them, the group splits up and the people leave in different directions. 驱散; 散开

protester / ˈproʊtestər / [N-COUNT] Protesters are people who protest publicly about an issue. 抗议者

then [ADJ] Then is used when you refer to something which was true at a particular time in the past but is not true now. 当时的

...a tour of the then new airport. …在当时新机场的一次参观。

US President George W Bush 美国总统乔治·W·布什

Demonstrators marched through downtown Athens to protest the visit of then-US Secretary of State Colin Powell on the weekend of the Games’ Closing Ceremony.

Demonstrator / ˈdemənstreɪtər / [N-COUNT]Demonstrators are people who are marching or gathering somewhere to show their opposition to something or their support for something. 游行者; 集会示威者

march through / mɑːrtʃ θruː / 穿过，通过：指军队或人群等有序地穿过某个区域或地方。

downtown / ˌdaʊnˈtaʊn / the centre of a large town or city, where the stores and places of business are. 市中心

Athens / ˈæθənz / 雅典（希腊首都）

US Secretary of State 美国国务卿

the Games’ Closing Ceremony 奥运会闭幕式

The 1992 Barcelona Summer Games were the first Summer Olympics to take place following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, due to the ongoing war, Yugoslav athletes were not allowed to compete in team sports and individual athletes competed without national identification.

The 1992 Barcelona Summer Games 1992年巴塞罗那夏季奥运会

Summer Olympics 夏季奥运会

dissolution / ˌdɪsəˈluːʃn / [N-UNCOUNT]Dissolution is the act of breaking up officially an organization or institution, or of formally ending a parliament. (组织、议会等的) 解散

Soviet Union 前苏联（1922-1991，首都莫斯科 Moscow, 位于欧、亚洲）

due to 由于，因为

ongoing war 持续的战争

Yugoslav / ˈjuːɡəʊˌslɑːv / adj.南斯拉夫的

athlete / ˈæθliːt / n.运动员

national identification 国家身份

The 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics were the last Games of the Cold War era. The Berlin Wall was torn down a year later.

The 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics 1988年汉城夏季奥运会

Cold War era 冷战时期：指从1947年至1991年间，美国与苏联之间的政治、军事、经济和意识形态的对抗时期。

tear down 拆除 was torn down 被拆除

a year later 一年后

But the Games didn’t take place without controversy, as North Korea refused to attend after its bid to co-host the Games with its neighbor was essentially turned down by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

controversy / ˈkɑːntrəvɜːrsi / [N-VAR]Controversy is a lot of discussion and argument about something, often involving strong feelings of anger or disapproval. 论战

bid / bɪd / [N-COUNT]A bid for something or a bid to do something is an attempt to obtain it or do it. 努力尝试

co-host / ˈkoˌhost / v.搭档主持，联合主办

essentially / ɪˈsenʃəli / [ADV]You use essentially to indicate that what you are saying is mainly true, although some parts of it are wrong or more complicated than has been stated. 基本上

turn down If you turn down a person or their request or offer, you refuse their request or offer. 拒绝

International Olympic Committee (IOC) 国际奥林匹克委员会：一个非政府、非营利的国际体育组织，负责组织举办夏季奥林匹克运动会、冬季奥林匹克运动会、青年奥林匹克运动会等。

Cuba joined its ally North Korea in boycotting the Seoul Games.

ally / ˈælaɪ / [N-COUNT]A country's ally is another country that has an agreement to support it, especially in war. 同盟国

boycott / ˈbɔɪkɑːt / [V-T]If a country, group, or person boycotts a country, organization, or activity, they refuse to be involved with it in any way because they disapprove of it. 联合抵制

The 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics were boycotted by the Soviet Union and most of the Eastern Bloc in retaliation for the 1980 boycott of the Moscow Games, which had been led by the US.

The 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics 1984年洛杉矶夏季奥运会

Eastern Bloc 东欧集团

retaliation / rɪˌtæliˈeɪʃn / n.报复，反击

With the Soviets out of the running, the US won the medal count – with a record 83 gold medals.

out of the running 不再参与竞争：指某人或某物不再参与竞争或争夺某个位置、机会或奖项。

medal count 奖牌排行榜

record / ˈrekɔːd / 记录

medal / ˈmed(ə)l / n.奖牌 gold medal 金牌

Some of the Eastern Bloc countries that boycotted and the Soviet Union staged their own alternate competition called the ‘Friendship Games.’

stage / steɪdʒ / [V-T]If you stage an event or ceremony, you organize it and usually take part in it. 主办; 举行

alternate / ˈɔːltərnət / [ADJ]Alternate actions, events, or processes regularly occur after each other. 交替的

The 1980 Moscow Games took place amid the backdrop of the Cold War. The United States and more than 60 other countries boycotted the Moscow Olympics because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979.

The 1980 Moscow Games 1980年莫斯科奥运会

amid / əˈmɪd / 在……中

backdrop / ˈbækdrɑːp / [N-COUNT]The backdrop to an event is the general situation in which it happens. 事件的背景

The election will take place against a backdrop of increasing instability. 选举的背景是逐渐不稳的局势。

Afghanistan / æfˈɡænɪstæn / 阿富汗（国家名称，位于亚洲）

A group of American athletes sued the U.S. Olympic Committee to participate but lost the case.

sue / suː / [V-T/V-I]If you sue someone, you start a legal case against them, usually in order to claim money from them because they have harmed you in some way. 诉讼

lost the case 输掉了官司：在法庭上败诉或未能赢得案件。

This boycott reduced the number of nations participating to 80, the lowest number since 1956. Prominent nations such as Canada, Israel, Japan, China and West Germany boycotted the 1980 Summer Games.

Prominent / ˈprɑːmɪnənt / [ADJ]Someone who is prominent is important and well-known. 重要的; 著名的

Afghan athletes, notably, competed in the Games. Despite the boycott and pressure on Moscow, the Soviet-Afghan war did not end until 1989.

notably / ˈnoʊtəbli / [ADV]You can use notably to emphasize a particular quality that someone or something has. 明显地

The 1976 Montreal Games A large number of African countries threatened the IOC with a boycott, after New Zealand’s national rugby team went on a tour in apartheid South Africa shortly before the 1976 Games, which prompted calls for New Zealand to be excluded.

The 1976 Montreal Games 1976年蒙特利尔奥运会

go on a tour 进行旅行：参加组织的旅行活动，通常包括参观景点、游览城市等。

apartheid / əˈpɑːrtaɪt / [N-UNCOUNT]Apartheid was a political system in South Africa in which people were divided into racial groups and kept apart by law. 种族隔离制

prompt / prɑːmpt / [V-T]To prompt someone to do something means to make them decide to do it. 促使

Japan's recession has prompted consumers to cut back on buying cars. 日本的经济衰退已促使消费者们削减购车花销。

call for [N-COUNT]If there is a call for something, someone demands that it should happen. 要求

be excluded 被排除在外

Those negotiations to ban New Zealand did not go through, leading to 30 African countries, who were joined by Guyana and Iraq, withdrawing from the Montreal Games, after a few of their athletes had already competed.

ban / bæn / [V-T]To ban something means to state officially that it must not be done, shown, or used. (官方) 明令禁止

go through [PHRASAL VERB]If a law, agreement, or official decision goes through, it is approved by a legislature or committee. (法律、协议、决定) 获得通过

Guyana / ɡaɪˈænə / 圭亚那（拉丁美洲国家）

withdraw / wɪðˈdrɔː / [V-I]If you withdraw from an activity or organization, you stop taking part in it. (从活动或组织中) 退出

The 1972 Munich Games saw the hostage-taking and murder of 11 Israeli athletes by the Palestinian terror group known as ‘Black September.’

The 1972 Munich Games 1972年慕尼黑奥运会

hostage-taking / ˈhɑːstɪdʒ teɪkɪŋ / n.劫持人质

Israeli / ɪzˈreɪli / adj.以色列的

Palestinian terror group 巴勒斯坦恐怖组织

This attack came amid tensions between Israel and the Palestinians and the Games still went on despite the deaths of all 11 athletes, following a botched rescue operation by the West German authorities.

attack / əˈtæk / hurt or damage a person or place by using physical violence. 攻击

botched / bɑːtʃt / adj.（尤指工作）一团糟的

rescue operation 营救行动

West German authorities 西德当局

Ten days before the 1968 Mexico Games, Mexican government forces opened fire on crowds of unarmed student protestors in what then became known as the Tlatelolco Massacre.

the 1968 Mexico Games 1968年墨西哥奥运会

Mexican government forces 墨西哥政府军

open fire 开始向某物或某人开火（使用武器）

crowds of 大群（人）

unarmed / ˌʌnˈɑːrmd / [ADJ]If a person or vehicle is unarmed, they are not carrying any weapons. 未武装的

in what 在什么之中

There is some substance in what he says. 他的话是有一定根据的。

then became 后来成为

Tlatelolco Massacre / ˈmæsəkər / 特拉特洛尔科大屠杀

The exact death toll of this massacre is unknown and Mexican authorities have been unclear about the details. The Games still went ahead, despite the violence.

death toll / ˈdeθ təʊl / 死亡人数

The 1968 Games were also famous for being the Olympics at which Black American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the Black Power salute on the medal stand as their national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” played, in solidarity with the Black Freedom Movement in the United States. Smith and Carlos were expelled from the Games.

Black Power salute 黑人权力敬礼

on the medal stand 在领奖台上

national anthem / ˈænθəm / 国歌

The Star Spangled Banner 星条旗（美国国歌，the Star Spangled Banner）

in solidarity with 与…团结一致

Black Freedom Movement 黑人自由运动

expel / ɪkˈspel / [V-T]If someone is expelled from a school or organization, they are officially told to leave because they have behaved badly. 开除

The 1956 Melbourne Olympics witnessed countries boycotting the event for the first time, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

The 1956 Melbourne Olympics 1956年墨尔本奥运会

Council on Foreign Relations 外交关系委员会

Earlier that year, the Hungarian Revolution had been suppressed by the Soviet Union, prompting the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland to boycott the Games in support of Hungary.

Earlier that year 那一年早些时候

Hungarian / hʌŋˈɡeriən / 匈牙利的 Hungarian Revolution 匈牙利革命

had been suppressed by 被抑制

Hungary / ˈhʌŋɡəri / 匈牙利

Similarly, the Suez Canal crisis prompted Cambodia, Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon to withdraw their teams in protest while China also boycotted the event when the IOC included a team from Taiwan.

Similarly / ˈsɪmələrli / 相似地

Suez Canal / sʊˈez kəˈnæl / 苏伊士运河（位于埃及东北部）

Cambodia / kæmˈboʊdiə / 柬埔寨（位于亚洲）

protest / ˈproʊtest / n.抗议

Despite other countries’ boycott against the Soviets, Hungary competed in the Olympics. A violent water polo match between the two teams left one Hungarian player bleeding from the head and led to Hungarian fans rushing towards the pool and threatening to riot.

water polo match 水球比赛

riot / ˈraɪət / [V-I]If people riot, they behave violently in a public place.（人群）发生骚乱，聚众闹事

The resulting kerfuffle caused the match to be canceled and Hungary, up 4-0 at the time, was named the winner and eventually won the gold medal.

resulting adj.因而发生的，作为结果的

kerfuffle / kərˈfʌfl / [N]commotion; disorder; agitation 混乱

eventually / ɪˈventʃuəli / [ADV]Eventually means in the end, especially after a lot of delays, problems, or arguments. 终于

Although they lost the match, which eventually became known as ‘Blood in the Water,’ the Soviets went on to finish first in the medal table.

medal table 奖牌榜

1948 London Summer Olympics The build-up to these Games was dominated by questions over whether to host them at a time when so many countries were recovering from World War II.

1948 London Summer Olympics 1948年伦敦夏季奥运会

build-up [N-COUNT]A build-up is a gradual increase in something. 逐渐增加

Money was tight and so competitors had to bring their own towels, while host city London didn’t build any new venue for the Games.

tight / taɪt / 紧的，拮据的

venue / ˈvenjuː / （活动的）场所

A new road connecting Wembley Stadium to the nearest underground stadium was built by German prisoners of war.

Wembley Stadium 温布利体育场

Germany and Japan were not invited to attend the Olympics, while the Soviet Union first chose not to send any athletes but later was stopped in its attempts to send a weightlifting team.

in its attempts to 试图

weightlifting / ˈweɪtlɪftɪŋ / 举重

The 1940 and 1944 Olympic Games were canceled due to the outbreak of World War II. Even before their cancellation, the 1940 Games had become embroiled in geopolitical tensions when Japan’s government decided in 1938 not to host the Games in the wake of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

outbreak / ˈaʊtbreɪk / [N-COUNT]If there is an outbreak of something unpleasant, such as violence or a disease, it suddenly starts to happen. (暴动、疾病等的) 爆发

cancellation / ˌkænsəˈleɪʃ(ə)n / n.取消

embroil in / ɪmˈbrɔɪld / 指卷入或陷入某种困境、纠纷或争议中。

geopolitical tensions 地缘政治紧张局势

in the wake of 在……之后；随着……发生

Sino-Japanese adj.中日的

The IOC chose Helsinki as the host city to replace Tokyo, but staging the Olympics had become impossible by 1940. The Olympic Games have not been canceled again since 1940 and 1944, although the 2020 Games were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

postpone / poʊˈspoʊn / [V-T]If you postpone an event, you delay it or arrange for it to take place at a later time than was originally planned. 推迟

Covid-19 pandemic 新冠疫情大流行

The 1936 Berlin Olympics took place during Nazi rule in Germany, and the Games were viewed by Hitler as an opportunity to promote Third Reich propaganda and ideals of Aryan racial supremacy and antisemitism.

The 1936 Berlin Olympics 1936年柏林奥运会

Nazi rule in Germany 纳粹在德国的统治

Third Reich propaganda 第三帝国的宣传

Aryan racial supremacy 雅利安种族至上

antisemitism / ˌænti ˈsemətɪzəm / n. 反犹主义

Despite calls for a boycott of the Berlin Games, 49 teams from around the world competed – more than in any previous Olympics. Notably, the Nazis’ Aryan propaganda was undermined by the successes of Black track and field star Jesse Owens of the United States. He won four gold medals and became the most successful athlete to compete in Berlin.

was undermined by 被破坏了，被抵消了

Black track and field star 黑人田径明星

Just three years later, World War II broke out.

break out 爆发

The 1916 Berlin Olympics were canceled due to World War I – the first time this had happened in the nascent history of the Games.

The 1916 Berlin Olympics 1916年柏林奥运会

nascent / ˈneɪs(ə)nt / [ADJ]Nascent things or processes are just beginning, and are expected to become stronger or to grow bigger. 新生的; 初期的

They were next held in 1920, after the end of WWI but the defeated powers of Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary and the Ottoman Empire were not invited to participate.

defeated powers 击败了的权力

Following the devastation left by the war across Europe, the 1920 Antwerp Games marked the first time that the Olympic flag and oath were used.

devastation / ˌdevəˈsteɪʃn / [N-UNCOUNT]Devastation is severe and widespread destruction or damage. 毁坏

Antwerp Games 安特卫普奥运会

Olympic flag 奥林匹克会旗

oath / oʊθ / 誓言; 宣誓

The 1904 Olympics, in St Louis, Missouri took place as the Russo-Japanese War was being fought on the other side of the world.

Missouri / mɪˈzʊri / n.密苏里（美国州名）

Russo-Japanese adj.俄日之间的

With the war intensifying global tensions at the time, many European athletes were unable to travel to a then-remote St. Louis.

intensify / ɪnˈtensɪfaɪ / [V-T/V-I]If you intensify something or if it intensifies, it becomes greater in strength, amount, or degree. 加强; 强化